Foldable exerciser

ABSTRACT

A foldable exerciser includes a main frame and a prop member disposed to stand on a ground surface, a saddle mounting frame having a pivot end pivotally connected to the main frame and a saddle mounting segment for mounting a saddle, an operating unit having a fulcrum pivotally connected to the main frame, and weight and force ends at two sides of the fulcrum, and a coupler having an end coupled to the saddle mounting frame, and an opposite end detachably coupled to the weight end such that a pivoting movement of the force end results in turning of the saddle forwardly and upwardly for simulating a horse-riding action. The operating unit and the saddle mounting frame can be folded toward the main frame when the coupler is disengaged from the weight end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a foldable exerciser, more particularly to afoldable exerciser which can simulate a horse-riding action and whichcan be folded and unfolded conveniently.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/152,159, the applicant disclosed a foldable exerciser thatincludes an elongated main frame 11, a prop member 12, a pedaling unit14, an operating unit 15, a saddle unit 16, and a saddle supporting unit17.

The main frame 11 has a bottom end 111 disposed to sit on a groundsurface, a top end 112 opposite to the bottom end 111, and a middleportion 113 interposed therebetween. The prop member 12 has an endpivotally connected to the middle portion 113, and an intermediateportion coupled to the main frame 11 by virtue of an elbow joint member13 so as to be displaceable between straddle and folded positionsrelative to the main frame 11. The pedaling unit 14 is mounted on theintermediate portion of the prop member 12, and includes a pair ofcranked pedals 141 for performing a pedaling exercise. The operatingunit 15 includes an upper segment 151, a lower segment 152, aninterconnecting segment 153 pivotally connected to the top end 112 tointerconnect the upper and lower segment 151,152, and two handlebars 154mounted on the upper segment 151. The saddle unit 16 includes a saddlemounting frame 161 having an end pivotally connected to the main frame11, and a saddle 162 mounted on the saddle mounting frame 161. Thesaddle support unit 17 includes a supporting bar 171 having an endpivotally connected to the main frame 11 adjacent to the bottom end 111,and an opposite end provided with a roller 172 rollable on a bottomsurface of the saddle mounting frame 161, a pulley 174 mounted on thesupporting bar 171, and a rope 175 extending around the pulley 174 andsecured to the lower segment 152.

In use, the foldable exerciser can be operated as a stationary exercisebicycle or a horse-riding exerciser. When the exerciser is to be folded,a plurality of pins 18 have to be detached therefrom, thereby causinginconvenience to the user. In addition, as the rope 175 is subjected toa relatively large force during the horse-riding exercise, wearing ofthe rope 175 may result after prolonged use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a foldable exerciserwhich has a simple and robust coupling structure and which can be foldedand unfolded conveniently.

According to this invention, the foldable exerciser includes anelongated main frame having top and bottom ends opposite to each other,and a middle portion interposed therebetween, and a prop member having arest end and a propping end opposite to each other, and an intermediateportion interposed therebetween. The propping end is pivotally connectedto the middle portion about a first axis such that the rest end ispivotable between straddle and folded positions, where the rest end isremote from and closer to the bottom end, respectively, and such that inthe straddle position, the bottom and rest ends are disposed to sit on aground surface while the top end is disposed upwardly and forwardly ofthe bottom end. A saddle mounting frame includes a front pivot end whichis pivotally connected to the middle portion about a second axisparallel to the first axis and between the top and propping ends, an armsegment which extends from the front pivot end in a radial directionrelative to the second axis to terminate at a juncture, and a saddlemounting segment which extends rearwardly from the juncture such thatthe juncture is turnable about the second axis between proximate anddistal positions relative to the top end. A saddle is mounted on thesaddle mounting segment. An operating unit includes a fulcrum which ispivotally connected to the top end about a third axis parallel to thefirst axis, and a force end and a weight end at two sides of thefulcrum. An upper coupler has a first coupled end which is coupled tothe juncture, and a second coupled end which is detachably coupled tothe weight end such that in the straddle position, a rearward pivotingmovement of the force end about the third axis toward the saddlemounting segment results in turning of the juncture from the distalposition to the proximate position so as to move the saddle mountingsegment forward for simulating a horse-riding action, and such that thesecond coupled end is disposed to be turnable relative to the juncturebetween an engaging position, where the second coupled end is retainedwith the weight end to thereby result in the rearward pivoting movement,and a disengaging position, where the second coupled end is disengagedfrom the weight end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable exerciser of the aforesaidco-pending U.S. patent application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the foldable exerciser of FIG. 1 in astraddle position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the foldable exerciser of FIG. 1 in afolded position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a foldableexerciser according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment in astraddle state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment in ahorse-riding simulating state; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment in a foldedstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the preferred embodiment of a foldableexerciser according to the present invention is shown to comprise anelongated main frame 20, a prop member 30, a saddle unit 60, anoperating unit 50, an upper coupler 63, a pedaling unit 40, and areinforcing unit 70.

The main frame 20 has top and bottom ends 21,22 opposite to each other,and a middle portion 23 interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, themain frame 20 includes two elongated side bars 24 spaced apart from eachother, and a crossbar 25 disposed between the side bars 24 at the middleportion 23.

The prop member 30 has a rest end 33 and a propping end 31 opposite toeach other, and an intermediate portion 35 interposed therebetween. Thepropping end 31 is pivotally connected to the middle portion 23 about afirst axis between the side bars 24 such that the rest end 33 ispivotable about the first axis between a straddle position, where therest end 33 is remote from the bottom end 21, and a folded position,where the rest end 33 is closer to the bottom end 21, and such that inthe straddle position, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom and rest ends21,33 are disposed to sit on a ground surface while the top end 22 isdisposed upwardly and forwardly of the bottom end 21.

A restricting unit includes a mounting plate 27 which is secured betweenthe side bars 24 adjacent to the propping end 31 of the prop member 30,and a lock pin 26 in the form of a screw bolt which is mounted on themounting plate 27 and which is extendable relative to the mounting plate27 in a radial direction relative to the first axis. The propping end 31has a locking hole 311 which extends towards the first axis, and whichis configured to receive the lock pin 26 when the lock pin 26 isextended so as to arrest the prop member 30 in one of the straddle andfolded positions.

The saddle unit 60 includes a saddle mounting frame 61 and a saddle 62.The saddle mounting frame 61 includes a front pivot end 611 which isdisposed between and which extends transverse to the side bars 24 andwhich is pivotally connected to the middle portion 23 about a secondaxis parallel to the first axis and between the top and propping ends22,31, an arm segment 612 which extends upwardly and rearwardly from thefront pivot end 611 in a radial direction relative to the second axis toterminate at a juncture 613, and a saddle mounting segment 614 whichextends rearwardly from the juncture 613. Thus, the juncture 613 isturnable about the second axis between proximate and distal positionsrelative to the top end 22. The saddle 62 is mounted on the saddlemounting segment 614, and is adjustable relative thereto by means of afastening bolt 621.

The operating unit 50 includes a fulcrum 53 which is disposed betweenand which extends transverse to the side bars 24 and which is pivotallyconnected to the top end 22 about a third axis parallel to the firstaxis, a force end 51 and a weight end 52 at two sides of the fulcrum 53,and two handlebars 54 which are mounted on two opposite sides of theforce end 51. The force end 51 is adjustable relative to the weight end52 along a length thereof by means of a fastening bolt 55.

The upper coupler 63 has a first coupled end 633 which is coupled to thejuncture 613, and a second coupled end 631 which anchors the weight end52 such that when the prop member 40 is in the straddle position, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a rearward pivoting movement of the force end 51about the third axis toward the saddle mounting segment 614 results inturning of the juncture 613 from the distal position to the proximateposition so as to move the saddle mounting segment 614 forward forsimulating a horse-riding action.

Moreover, the second coupled end 631 of the upper coupler 63 is disposedto be turnable relative to the juncture 633 between an engagingposition, as shown in FIG. 6, where the second coupled end 631 isretained with the weight end 52 to thereby result in the rearwardpivoting movement, and a disengaging position, as shown in FIG. 7, wherethe second coupled end 631 is disengaged from the weight end 52 so as topermit collapsing of the saddle unit 60 and the operating unit 50.

The pedaling unit 40 is mounted on the intermediate portion 35 of theprop member 30, and includes a pair of cranks 42 which are journalled onthe intermediate portion 35 about a fourth axis parallel to the firstaxis, a pair of pedals 41 which are connected to opposite ends of thecranks 42, respectively, for treading by a user, and a resistancemechanism 43 which surrounds the fourth axis to deliver a resistanceforce to the cranks 42.

The reinforcing unit 70 includes a reinforcing shank 71 and a lowercoupler 72. The reinforcing shank 71 has lower and upper shank ends711,712 opposite to each other, and a middle shank portion 713interposed therebetween. The lower shank end 711 is pivotally connectedto the main frame 20 proximate to the bottom end 21 about a fifth axisparallel to the first axis such that the upper shank end 712 ispivotable about the fifth axis between a holding position, as shown inFIG. 5, where the upper shank end 712 braces the saddle mounting segment614, and a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 7, where the upper shankend 712 is placed closer to the front pivot end 611. The lower coupler72 has a first connecting end 721 which is pivotally coupled to themiddle portion 713 of the reinforcing shank 71, and a second connectingend 722 which is detachably coupled to the crossbar 25 of the main frame20 between the lower shank end 711 and the propping end 31 so as toretain the upper shank end 712 in the holding position.

In use, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the user can sit on the saddle 62and grip the handlebars 54 while treading the pedals 41 for performing astationary bicycle exercise. The user may also pull the handlebars 54rearwardly so that the saddle 62 is raised and turned toward thehandlebars 54 to simulate a horse-riding action.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, to fold the foldable exerciser, the secondcoupled end 631 of the upper coupler 63 and the second connecting end722 of the lower coupler 72 are disengaged from the weight end 52 andthe crossbar 25, respectively, such that the operating unit 50, thesaddle unit 60, and the reinforcing unit 70 can turn and collapse towardthe main frame 20. Subsequently, the lock pin 26 is screwed-out topermit turning of the prop member 30 to the folded position. Thus, thefolding and unfolding operations are convenient to conduct. Moreover, byvirtue of the upper and lower couplers 63,72, the structure of thesaddle unit 60 is strengthened.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included withinthe spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalentarrangements.

1. A foldable exerciser comprising: an elongated main frame having topand bottom ends opposite to each other, and a middle portion interposedtherebetween; a prop member having a rest end and a propping endopposite to each other, and an intermediate portion interposedtherebetween, said propping end being pivotally connected to said middleportion about a first axis such that said rest end is pivotable aboutthe first axis between a straddle position, where said rest end isremote from said bottom end, and a folded position, where said rest endis closer to said bottom end, and such that in the straddle position,said bottom and rest ends are disposed to sit on a ground surface whilesaid top end is disposed upwardly and forwardly of said bottom end; asaddle mounting frame including a front pivot end which is pivotallyconnected to said middle portion about a second axis parallel to thefirst axis and between said top and propping ends, an arm segment whichextends from said front pivot end in a radial direction relative to thesecond axis to terminate at a juncture, and a saddle mounting segmentwhich extends rearwardly from said juncture such that said juncture isturnable about the second axis between proximate and distal positionsrelative to said top end; a saddle mounted on said saddle mountingsegment; an operating unit including a fulcrum which is pivotallyconnected to said top end about a third axis parallel to the first axis,and a force end and a weight end at two sides of said fulcrum; and anupper coupler having a first coupled end which is coupled to saidjuncture, and a second coupled end which is detachably coupled to saidweight end such that in the straddle position, a rearward pivotingmovement of said force end about the third axis toward said saddlemounting segment results in turning of said juncture from the distalposition to the proximate position so as to move said saddle mountingsegment forward for simulating a horse-riding action, and such that saidsecond coupled end is disposed to be turnable relative to said juncturebetween an engaging position, where said second coupled end is retainedwith said weight end to thereby result in the rearward pivotingmovement, and a disengaging position, where said second coupled end isdisengaged from said weight end.
 2. The foldable exerciser of claim 1,wherein said arm segment is disposed to extend upwardly and rearwardlyfrom said front pivot end when said second coupled end of said uppercoupler is in the engaging position.
 3. The foldable exerciser of claim1, wherein said main frame includes two elongated side bars spaced apartfrom each other, each of said propping end of said prop member, saidfront pivot end of said saddle mounting frame, and said fulcrum of saidoperating unit being disposed between and extending transverse to saidside bars.
 4. The foldable exerciser of claim 3, further comprising arestricting unit which is disposed to releasably restrict pivotingmovement of said rest end of said prop member to the folded position. 5.The foldable exerciser of claim 4, wherein said restricting unitincludes a mounting plate which is secured between said side barsadjacent to said propping end of said prop member, and a lock pin whichis mounted on said mounting plate and which is extendable relative tosaid mounting plate in a radial direction relative to the first axis,said propping end having a locking hole which extends towards the firstaxis, and which is configured to receive said lock pin when said lockpin is extended so as to arrest said prop member in one of the straddleand folded positions.
 6. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, furthercomprising a pedaling unit which is mounted on said intermediate portionof said prop member, and which includes a pair of cranks journalled onsaid intermediate portion about a fourth axis parallel to the firstaxis, a pair of pedals connected to opposite ends of said cranks,respectively, for treading by a user, and a resistance mechanismsurrounding the fourth axis to deliver a resistance force to saidcranks.
 7. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, further comprising areinforcing shank which has lower and upper shank ends opposite to eachother, and a middle shank portion interposed therebetween, said lowershank end being pivotally connected to said main frame proximate to saidbottom end about a fifth axis parallel to the first axis such that saidupper shank end is pivotable about the fifth axis between a holdingposition where said upper shank end braces said saddle mounting segment,and a collapsed position where said upper shank end is placed closer tosaid front pivot end; and a lower coupler disposed to releasably retainsaid upper shank end in the holding position.
 8. The foldable exerciserof claim 7, wherein said lower coupler has a first connecting end whichis pivotally coupled to said middle portion, and a second connecting endwhich is detachably coupled to said middle portion of said main framebetween said lower shank end and said propping end.